Cercyon praetextatus
This record describes Cercyon praetextatus (species). Recorded family: Hydrophilidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Shining black Cercyon with distinctly delimited pale apex of the elytra. Key Characters: A very common species. An adult from Florida was found to carry mite deutonymphs ( Parasitus sp.) under its elytra.
Wikipedia reference for Cercyon praetextatus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cercyon_praetextatus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Hydrophiloidea
- Family
- Hydrophilidae (Water Scavenger Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Sphaeridiinae
- Tribe
- Megasternini
- Genus
- Cercyon
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Often in wet/damp habitats in various debris, leaf-litter, and decomposing plant matter. Also found on fungi, carrion and dung. Adults are attracted to lights and malt traps.
Geographic Range
e. NA, plus a few w. records (CA, UT, WY) south to Guatemala / Jamaica
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Cercyon praetextatus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Cercyon praetextatus (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Boris Büche; Additional contributions by Bbarnd , Mike Quinn , mpintar
Frequently Asked Questions About Cercyon praetextatus
What is Cercyon praetextatus?
Cercyon praetextatus is a species in the family Hydrophilidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Cercyon praetextatus?
2.4 to 3.5 mm
How do you identify Cercyon praetextatus?
Shining black Cercyon with distinctly delimited pale apex of the elytra. Key Characters:
Where is Cercyon praetextatus found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Often in wet/damp habitats in various debris, leaf-litter, and decomposing plant matter. Also found on fungi, carrion and dung. Adults are attracted to lights and malt traps. |
| Range | e. NA, plus a few w. records (CA, UT, WY) south to Guatemala / Jamaica |